Menu
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Healthy Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Diets & Nutrition - Food Safety
    Nutrition
    healthy nutrition
    Recipes
    healthy recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    herbal remedies - herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    suppliments & remedies
    Vitamins
    ask-dr-weil_vitamins-supplements-herbs_vitamins-topnav
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    The Legacy Of Living Yes | Spontaneous Happiness | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Health Tips
    Healthy Drinks To Start Sipping | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Spontaneous Happiness
    blog_spontaneous-happiness_topnav
  • COVID-19
  • Dr. Weil Origins Skin Care
  • Marketplace
  • Healthy Aging
  • Podcasts
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Increasing Life Expectancy
Subscribe
Press "Enter" to search
  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Bulletins

Increasing Life Expectancy

Increasing Life Expectancy
1 min

New research from Scotland suggests lifestyle factors influenced by DNA can cut years or months off our lives – or add extra time. The new information follows analysis of genetic information from more than 600,000 people living in Europe, Australia and North America that was compared with records of their parents’ lifespans. As an example of the role genes can play, the researchers noted the genetic influence on alcohol consumption and addiction. The study found that cigarette smoking had the greatest impact on shortening lifespan and that smoking a pack of cigarettes daily over a lifetime cuts life expectancy by seven years. However, giving up smoking erases that threat, the research showed. Weight plays a significant role as well. The study found that every extra 2.2 pounds cuts life expectancy by two months. Longer lives also were linked to learning. The researchers reported that the more education you have, the longer you could expect to live – one additional year for each further year spent studying. The investigation also revealed that differences in a gene that regulates cholesterol levels cuts lifespan by about eight months and that another newly found variant in a gene linked to the immune system adds about six months to life expectancy.

My take? It shouldn’t come as surprising news to find that smoking or being overweight – or both – can cut years or months from our lives. We’ve also known for some time that continued learning can add years. What’s new here is the connection between these lifestyle factors and genetic heritage as well as the size of the analysis. If you’re concerned about lifestyle factors or inherited health concerns that may affect your longevity, consider putting together a family health tree with as much information as you can gather from both sides of your family. And, of course, don’t smoke, watch your weight and nurture your mind

Source:
Peter K. Joshi et al, “Genome-wide meta-analysis associates HLA-DQA1/DRB1 and LPA and lifestyle factors with human longevity.” Nature Communications, October 13, 2017; DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00934-5

Also in this week’s bulletin:

  • Americans’ Deepest Fears
  • Creativity Can Boost Wellbeing

Read more tips, recipes, and insights on a wide variety of topics from Dr. Weil here.

moscow mule dangerous
Food Safety

Are Moscow Mules Dangerous?

sunbathing prolong life
Hair, Skin, & Nails

Can Sunbathing Prolong Your Life?

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Food Dye Linked To Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Dr. Weil
Bulletins

Food Dye Linked To Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Is Green Tea A Better Choice Than Coffee? | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Is Green Tea A Better Choice Than Coffee?

Regular Yoga Linked To Lower Heart Disease Risk
Bulletins

Regular Yoga Linked To Lower Heart Disease Risk

Exercise May Help Fight Prostate Cancer | Bulletins | Dr. Weil
Bulletins

A Single Session Of Exercise May Help Fight Prostate Cancer

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Information
  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage Email Subscription
Trending Articles
Food Dye Linked To Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Dr. Weil
Bulletins

Food Dye Linked To Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Is Green Tea A Better Choice Than Coffee? | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Bulletins

Is Green Tea A Better Choice Than Coffee?

Daily Tips
Sweeteners Healthier Than Sugar
Health Tips

Artificial Sweeteners & Weight Loss?

Should You Worry About White Spots on Fingernails?
Health Tips

Repair Dry & Brittle Fingernails!

  • Flickr
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

©Copyright2023 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com